New Central Asian and Mexican restaurants coming to Rolling Meadows

Two new sit-down restaurants are planned in Rolling Meadows on the heels of another one's recent opening.

Proprietors behind Sayulita Taco, Mariscos and Tequila Bar will go before the city council Tuesday night for a Class A1 liquor license for their proposed upscale Mexican restaurant at 1655 W. Algonquin Road.

The menu is highlighted by gourmet tacos, seafood and other classic dishes, paired with margaritas, handcrafted cocktails, beer and tequilas.

"All this great food and drink is going to be enjoyed (in) a colorful Mexican restaurant with upbeat music served by friendly and hospitable staff," the three business partners wrote in a letter to city officials.

The owners bring years of experience in management at Francesca's Restaurant Group, Fat Rosie's and Piccolo Sogno, but said their recent successes in sales motivated them to start their own venture.

The restaurant is undergoing cosmetic changes including new paint and furnishings, and is expected to open after the council's final second reading approval of the liquor license in November.

"We're very excited about it," said Martha Corner, the city's business development manager. "I think they'll do well at that location. They have a depth of experience in the restaurant industry."

Sayulita - named after the beach town on Mexico's Pacific coast - will replace Meltz Bar & Grill, which featured overfilled grilled cheese sandwiches and other cheese-themed dishes. That bar/restaurant lasted less than a year, after the former occupant of the space, Asian Tokyo, closed at the height of the pandemic.

Opening soon inside the former Taco Bell at 2997 Kirchoff Road is Jannat Restaurant, which will have a variety of kebabs and other dishes of Central Asian cuisine. The menu includes plov (rice with beef and carrots), beshbarmak (boiled beef with egg noodles), and lagman (noodle soup with beef and vegetables).

Jannat's opening will come after final city inspections, Corner said.

It's a similar concept to Sorry Mommy, a Central Asian restaurant that recently opened at 5153 New Wilke Road. The space was a Pepe's restaurant for years, then housed Sabroso Authentic Mexican restaurant for less than a year until it closed during the pandemic.

"They're getting good reviews. People are traveling from outside of the city to come eat there, which is what we like," Corner said.

The Central Asian restaurants did not request liquor licenses, as their menus do not offer alcohol, and none of the three restaurants asked for assistance from the city's restaurant incentive program, Corner said.